Archive for August 2011
A New Social Media Website for the Filipino Community
Home page of PinoyKubo.com
I’m wondering what Canadian company Astraqom, describing themselves as “a world leading provider of online community platforms leveraging IP communications,” is doing playing a “me, too” venture with the Facebook vs. Google+ world of social media networking by coming up with PinoyKubo, its social networking platform beta-tested in June this year. Here are some of the quips I’ve seen so far:
PinoyKubo is home to several online games, Filipino e-cards, chat, blogs, videos and more.
PinoyKubo is a global online meeting place reaching people of the Philippines around the world.
PinoyKubo offers the following applications: Chat, Video Chat, Photo and Video Uploads, Online Games and a lot more!
“The online community’s audience, membership, and market include Filipina and Filipino expatriates, business people and students who are in the Philippines as well as abroad. It also is popular with those who are in a position to develop business with those in the Philippines and those who wish to learn Tagalog or just be immersed in the exciting Philippines world culture.” I do hope it’s not one of those Match.com-wannabes touting “Filipina” (notice that was the first word description talking about membership).
What does it have that Facebook doesn’t have? That should be one of the first few questions that comes into mind. PinoyKubo has an answer:
“You can record your own audio and then save it and load it as message to your friends. You can enjoy a lot of our OPM songs or choose and play with something like 20,000 games. Take a test or make a test. But most people really love how they can draw and write a message literally and send it via the PK chat! Sing-along on the Karaoke! Make friends and have endless chatting, gaming or listening fun.”
PinoyKubo touts groups, too, but it relates it to businesses and organizations becoming popular, or as champions, via sponsorships, ads, partnering options, and special events. Add the phrase “…and be an important part of 2011 and future image and branding.” The list of companies who are taking part in the new Filipino social networking site are Astraqom (obviously, the creators of PinoyKubo), Manuel S. Enverga University, Virtual Phone Line, Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and Sun Cellular.
There’s an e-commerce component mentioned by PinoyKubo. “Any PinoyKubo member can start and operate his or her own electronic store and sell services and products online. Because of the company’s emphasis on empowering Filipinas and Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad and also those who enjoy the culture, there are no fees for transactions. Payments are made via Paypal.” (Again, the emphasis on Filipinas. Why not use a generic, non-gender term?) Their PR.com publication writes, “The PinoyKubo e-store is available to retail brand names or home hand-crafted items. The PinoyKubo community members do not have to buy their own store website, nor do they have to install anything to get started. With a minimal few minutes of effort, they are up and running with their own stores.” Click here to watch a YouTube video of a demo in setting up an e-store.
Jonathan Sowah is the founder of PinoyKubo and AstraQom. He is reported to say that the PinoyKubo social network’s stores is an effective way to expand entrepreneur and businesses’ reach into the benefits of social media.
TMCNet contributor Rahul Arora writes that with PinoyKubo’s features and tools, the participants can easily meet long-term social and entrepreneurial goals. They can make friends to collaborate with, get appreciated for one’s talents, accomplishments and abilities, and discover and employ new methods and tools to reach social and business (also may be entrepreneurial and financial) goals. But most of what he writes are copied from the Astraqom website.
Let’s summarize. PinoyKubo is:
- Social networking site, like Facebook (photo, links, chats, etc.)
- Online gaming site, like Friendster;
- Blogging site, like Blogger or WordPress;
- Meeting place, maybe like LinkedIn Groups
- e-Cards? Plaxo.com comes to mind
- e-Store, like Multiply
- Video uploads, like YouTube
- Anything else I missed?
PinoyKubo today has about 50,000 members (they call it “friendships”) after three months of beta-testing. They are planning a comprehensive game archive with over 14,000 different games and activities, plus social-oriented ones.
AstraQom Corporation merged with Aon Communications (Canada) Inc. in 2009 and has operations in Ottawa, Montreal, Maniwaki, Toronto, Miami and Mexico City (Mexico). It is a member of the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA).
I salute a Canadian company offering a service for Filipinos, worldwide. I advocate cloud-based applications and social media for the workplace. I’m not much of an online game afficionado but maybe it’s a carrot to the younger generation who are prospective buyers of its e-stores. So, join http://www.PinoyKubo.com and see what a predominantly Filipino market can do for you and your small business.
Sources: Facebook Page | PinoyKubo Info & Fansite | SGE Entrepreneurs | PR.com | TMCNet.com | American Banking & Marketing News
Image of Home Page at PinoyKubo.com
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Preserving a Culture of Life in the Philippines
Freedom to Love Conference poster by CBCP for Life
A short documentary film entitled “The Philippines: Preserving a Culture of Life” was recently aired on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) in the USA and Canada. Produced by Human Life International (HLI), this film has been aired several times at EWTN in the Philippines.
The film is a pro-life documentary that highlights the fight for life in the Philippines. It features pro-life advocates who are leading the fight against the RH Bill, the likes of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Congressman Golez, HLI Director Bullecer, and former pro-abortion Department of Health manager Dr. Ligaya Acosta.
HLI is presently working with other pro-life organizations in the Philippines to promote the new documentary, groups such as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Filipinos for Life, a volunteer group whose mission is to speak the truth about the dignity and sanctity of human life in all its stages, from natural conception to natural death.
HLI is also hosting a contest on Facebook where pro-lifers are invited to leave a brief prayer for the Philippines or a note of encouragement for a chance to win a free DVD copy of the documentary.
Read more at LifeNews.com
Photo by CBCP For Life at their Facebook Page
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Have You Seen the Belo Billboard Ad of Angelicopter?
Instead of writing about it, I’ll let her pictures paint a gazillion words! But, two words: uberly awesome!
Photo ad from Belo
Here’s a look-and-see of the billboard ad along EDSA (is that Guadalupe?)
Photo by Juice.ph
Let’s capture Angelicopter from her personal photos.
Photos above came from her Facebook Page.
Okay, best I describe her. She’s Angelika Schmeing-Cruz (yeah, that’s a hyphenated married surname – too bad) using the radio deejay call sign Angelicopter at Magic 89.9 FM. You can listen to her during Mondays through Thursdays starting at 6:00am Manila time.
She definitely beats the Lovi Poe Bench Billboard at EDSA that was Head-turning and Eye-straining
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Study Shows Philippine Paper Money Lowest in Toxic Chemical
Philippine paper money bills
The Philippines is in the top three countries where its paper money or bills have the lowest toxic chemical called bisphenol A (BPA). This was reported in an article published at the U.S. News Health.
According to the report, “BPA is used to make some plastics and consumer products such as water bottles, household electronics and sports equipment. Research suggests that BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which means that it acts like the hormone estrogen, and may be linked to a number of health problems.”
“Researchers analyzed 156 pieces of paper money from 21 countries and found that all of the bills contained traces of BPA. Paper money from Brazil, the Czech Republic and Australia had the highest BPA levels, while bills from the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam had the lowest levels. U.S. notes had average levels, the study authors said in a news release from the American Chemical Society.”
Read more of the article at U.S. News Health
Photo by SuperDooperDapper at Flickr.com
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Overseas Filipino Workers Can Loan Up To 2 Million Pesos Payable in 7 Years
Filipino Migrant workers in Hongkong
The Macau Daily Times recently reported that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) working in area are now eligible to borrow from 300,000 Pesos up to 2 million Pesos with a fixed interest rate of 7.5 percent per annum. This program is a joint effort of the Department of Labor and Employement (DOLE), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Land Bank of the Philippines. This special loan program is open to all migrant and overseas Filipinos legally working abroad.
Eligibility rules require the applicant to have a net monthly income of no less than 10,000 Pesos and has made at least one contribution to OWWA. Approved applicants have seven years to pay the loan.
Source: Macau Daily Times
Photo by dying_of_the_light at Flickr.com
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Noynoy Aquino Wants To Be An Eliot Ness
Noynoy Aquino as the Eliot Ness of the Philippines
…or a Kevin Costner? Too soon to tell. Bloomberg is reporting that Philippine President Benigno Aquino III wants his government to start acting like Eliot Ness by protecting those officials whose job is to catch the tax evaders in the Philippines in an aim to rid the country of corruption.
Eliot Ness, to those who never watched the movie “The Untouchables,” was an American prohibition agent of the United States Treasury in the roarin’ 20′s and was charged to bring down Al Capone’s breweries and supply routes during the prohibition era. The 1950s up to the 1960s brought a TV series of the same title that spawned a full-length movie starring Kevin Costner.
Will P’Noy live up to the name of the famous treasury agent that nabbed the famous Chicago gangster of tax evasion?
Read more at Bloomberg
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San Miguel Corporation to Buy Shares of Esso Malaysia, Local ExxonMobil Companies
San Miguel Corporation, today’s conglomerate in the Philippines, is planning to acquire 65 percent of Esso Malaysia or 175.5 million shares from ExxonMobil International Holdings, including two local ExxonMobil companies, for more than 600 million USD. This acquisition adds to the portfolio of oil refining and marketing businesses outside the Philippines that San Miguel owns or has shares with.
Esso Malaysia has about 560 retail stations in Malaysia. Currently, San Miguel also owns 68 percent of Petron Corporation, the largest oil refining company in the Philippines.
Read more at The Star Online
Photo by nafim at Flickr.com
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TV5 and MMDA Introduces Metro Manila Traffic Navigator
InterAksyon of TV5 News and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) of the Philippines recently launched a traffic navigator that visually displays major intersections along each of the major thoroughfares of Epifano delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), Quezon Avenue, Espana Avenue, C5, Roxas Boulevard and the South Luzon Express Way (SLEX), and labels each according to a traffic category.
The rendition of the graphics is akin to subway and roadway maps people are familiar worldwide, like the United States, Canada and the U.K. Besides this familiar display, the “Line View” provides intersection per thoroughfare status. It also uses “Google Map” to display an actual view of the major thoroughfare and the traffic situation.
Below the page shows MMDA’s Facebook and Twitter updates.
Go to Metro Manila Traffic Navigator to experience something new
Image from the Metro Manila Traffic Navigator website
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Philippine Export Agency Expects 10 Percent Export Growth
The Export Development Council (of the Philippines) was created by virtue of Republic Act 7844, otherwise known as the Export Development Act of 1994. It was created with the purpose of developing and overseeing the implementation of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) and coordinating the formulation and implementation of policy reforms to support the Plan.
Based on a plan recently presented to Philippine President Aquino, the EDC expects annual export growth to be within 10% in merchandise shipments until 2013. This target relies on exporting more to neighboring countries like China whose economy continues to expand, and Japan which many expect to recover fast despite the Tsunami catastrophe. The plan was approved by the President.
Sources: Export Hub & EDC Website
Photo by edison.sy at Flickr.com
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Philippines Premier Fashion Photographer Raymund Isaac Now a Blogger
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Raymund Isaac, the Philippines’ foremost photography of the stars and celebrities, today informally announced through Facebook that he will post his first blog in his new blog site, http://raymundisaacblog.tumblr.com/. As he described himself as a “People Photographer” his artistic touch transcends decades of work. He was particularly involved in many nudes before, his inclination to being “playful and sensuous” but his art has evolved through the years, and art, form and photography encompass what is Raymund Isaac today, beyond just tagged as a “Premier Fashion Photographer.”
Raymund was a Lasallian from primary school all the way to college where he took up film and television at the De La Salle University. In the many apprenticeship years and experience with luminaries in film and television, he has been cited and awarded numerous times, and have worked with prestiguous locally and internationally known people.
Watch out for his first blog on Monday!
Image of Raymund Issac’s Blog Site
Addendum: Raymund shoots Paris Hilton! Maybe he’ll post some photos, too.
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New Philippine Tourism Video is a Remake But a Good One
Don’t get me wrong. It’s always awesome to promote your country of origin, especially doing so without expecting compensation in return. That’s exactly how these celebrities from the Philippines performed on the video. It is a remake of the old one created by the Department of Tourism but this time featuring new artists.
Is this better than the original one? What do you think?
– Like RA7 Travel at Facebook –
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Paris Hilton to Visit Philippines Soon
Photo from ParisHilton.com
Paris Hilton will soon be visiting Manila and is looking forward to seeing her fans out there! Check back on her website for more updates and an official announcement on August 17th!
The Paris Hilton Brand already has three existing stores in the Philippines: Robinson Place, Newport City Mall and Abreeza Mall in Davao City. These stores offer her Handbags & Accessories line, including fragrances and watches.
Last week, her website announced a brand new Paris Hilton store that opened it’s doors for the first time this week in SM MegaMall. This will be the 4th store to open in the Philippines.
Source: ParisHilton.com
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11-city Smithsonian Exhibit Depicts Filipino Struggle Against American Colonialism
The original Smithsonian Institution building, popularly known as the Castle. It now houses administrative offices and the Smithsonian Information Center.
Photo by ralph-toyama at Flickr.com
The Smithsonian Institution chose Charlotte as a stop for a traveling exhibit that tells the story of Filipinos who struggled against American colonialism and ultimately became U.S. citizens. “Singgalot: The Ties That Bind,” is coming to Charlotte Museum of History from Saturday through Oct. 16, 2011.
The 11-city exhibition made its first stop in Los Angeles last month. It will land in Kansas City, Seattle, Chicago and Philadelphia before a final stop in November in Santa Rosa, California.
The exhibit is intended to help the nation’s 2.5 million Filipino citizens trace their history and contributions in the United States through about 30 photo panels and images.
Read more at Charlotte Observer
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Candidates Sought for North San Diego County Filipino Beauty Pageant
Photo by Pidz111 at Flickr.com
The Fil-Am Cultural Association of North San Diego County is looking for girls of Filipino descent ages 13-16 for Miss Teen Fil-Am and ages 17-24 for the Miss Fil-Am Scholarship Pageant to be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 13, 2011 at Camp Pendleton.
Judging includes personality, poise, beauty, Filipina dress, talent and an impromptu question onstage. Each contestant will receive training in poise, walking, confidence, speaking ability, selection of clothing and on-stage questions. Winners will receive cash scholarships and numerous prizes.
The queens and princesses will preside at various functions sponsored by the Fil-Am Cultural Association of North San Diego County. For applications, call 760-434-3397 or 760-207-5358.
Source: North County Times
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Filipina-American Continues to Help Her Native Philippines
Made in the Philippines
Photo by famapa at Flickr.com
At 75, Linda Hoops, the wife of H. Ray Hoops, the former president of the University of Southern Indiana, is constantly on the go. Last month she led a session at a panel discussion of chefs on emerging trends in Colorado and she recently helped arrange for an internship for a Philippine student to work at Zuki restaurant in Evansville.
When Hoops saw a successful program in her native Philippines, she felt compelled to find a way for the same program to make a difference in Evansville. The program was the brainchild of childhood friends in Manila. Lulu Trinidad-Ocampo adapted a technique of weaving folded newspaper sheets into bags and wallets. She realized the skill could be a source of livelihood for those in need and developed it into the “Bags for Life” program.
Hoops learned of the program on one of her yearly visits to the Philippines. She brought back a suitcase full of the bags to sell and use for not-for-profit auctions here. But she believes it could become a cottage industry here as well.
Read more at Evansville Courier & Press
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Philippine Congress Backs Tourism Reforms Proposed by DOT Secretary
Visit of DOT Secretary Alberto Lim in Aurora (March 4-6, 2011). L-R: Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Department of Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim.
Photo by edangara at Flickr.com
The House of Representatives of the Philippines is supporting Department of Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim’s proposal to change and amend the rules and regulations of the Tourism Act of 2009. The reforms should inspire tourism industry to fulfill and carry out the intent of making the tourism industry a major player to the country’s economic growth.
Read more at PhilStar.com
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